How do you use a wall post indicator valve?
A wall post indicator valve can be used “on risers located within the building, either a nonrising stem gate valve with a wall post indicator or a listed butterfly valve with an indicating handle extending out through the building wall.”
What does a post indicator valve do in a fire system?
Function of a Post Indicator Valve (PIV) in Fire Safety Systems. A post indicator valve functions to control the water flow to control fire systems such as hydrants and sprinklers that are located in or near public or private buildings, factories, and warehouses, to protect the structures from fires.
Where is the indicator post on a sprinkler system?
The base of this indicator post is buried in the ground. It is generally operated by a lockable handle or wrench. Ground posts are used when the valve is located outside the building. Wall posts. This short indicator post is typically bolted horizontally to the wall of the building through a flange.
How do you operate a water mains indicator post?
It is generally operated by a lockable handle or wrench. Ground posts are used when the valve is located outside the building. Wall posts. This short indicator post is typically bolted horizontally to the wall of the building through a flange. It is used when water mains pass through a wall cavity and is operated by a handwheel.
How Do PIVs Work?
How often should PIV valves be inspected?
What happens after a PIV is used?
How to tell if a PIV is open or shut?
How to operate a gate valve?
What is a PIV valve?
What is the 5th part of a PIV?
See 2 more
What is a common location for a post indicator valve?
In a standard PIV, the post body is mounted on top of the fire sprinkler/standpipe system's water supply pipe. Sometimes this means the bottom of the PIV is buried under the ground, while other times, it may have a flange that is bolted down to a concrete platform that stores the supply pipe.
Is a post indicator valve required?
1) Each fire sprinkler system shall have at least one Post Indicator Valve or other indicating control valve as approved by the fire code official, and one Fire Department Connection, unless otherwise required by the California Fire Code, NFPA 13, NFPA 13D, or NFPA 13R.
What does a post indicator valve look like?
0:063:47Post Indicator Valve.mov - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis valve has two ways that it can be monitored for valve tamper. One is electronic. And the otherMoreThis valve has two ways that it can be monitored for valve tamper. One is electronic. And the other is a simple lock both of these devices.
What is a wall post indicator valve?
Also known as PIV, indicator post, I post, IP, post indicator, or wall post, a post indicator valve is a valve assembly used for the purpose of underground piping for water supply to fire protection systems such as sprinklers, sprays, foams, deluges, etc.
Do I need a PIV?
Ultimately, your USAccess PIV credential will enable you to gain access to buildings and systems for which you are authorized. Without a PIV credential, you may not be able to enter certain buildings, or will need to be registered as a guest.
How do you adjust a post indicator valve?
5:056:41Indicator Post 101 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd that the open and shut targets line up at the valve position. If the valves in the open positionMoreAnd that the open and shut targets line up at the valve position. If the valves in the open position the target should show open is in the shut. Position then the target should be saying shut.
What is the purpose of indicator valve?
Indicator Valves measure and monitor the cylinder pressure of diesel engine while the engine is running. This is to analyze the condition and effectiveness of the engine. Valve is mounted over the each cylinder head of diesel engine. Through a bore the indicator valve is connected to combustion chamber (cylinder).
What is a post indicator valve assembly?
A post indicator valve (PIV) is a valve assembly used to open or close the water supply to fire protection systems in large buildings. It consists of a conventional gate or butterfly valve located on the fire system water main with a raised post that protrudes above ground level or from a wall.
Which valve is used in fire line?
One type of valve commonly used to control water flow to fire sprinkler systems is known as an OS&Y gate valve. OS&Y means “outside stem and yoke” or "outside screw and yoke". OS&Y gate valves operate by opening and closing via a gate, which lowers into or rises out of the valve.
What is a PIV tamper switch?
Used to Detect Tampering or Setting Changes on Control Valve, by Monitoring Open/Closed Position; Durable Metal Enclosure with Single-Side Entry for Conduit; Adjustable Actuator Length; Two SPDT Synchronized Switch.
What is a non indicating valve?
Nonindicating control valves A “curb key,” a long shaft with a tee handle and a fitting designed to fit over the valve stem, reaches the valve stem from ground level. There's no indicator on the valve assembly.
What type of valve is a butterfly valve?
The butterfly valve is classified as a quarter-turn valve. It works like a ball valve for quick shutoff, but unlike a ball valve, the butterfly valve can also open and close incrementally. This difference means that the disc is always present in the flow and allows for a drop in pressure.
What is an indicator post?
USPVH Indicator Post are used in fire protection systems and perform several functions. The Indicator Post provides a means to operate a buried or otherwise inaccessible valve. Also, the Indicator Post readily and clearly indicates whether the valve is open or shut.
What is a non indicating valve?
Nonindicating control valves A “curb key,” a long shaft with a tee handle and a fitting designed to fit over the valve stem, reaches the valve stem from ground level. There's no indicator on the valve assembly.
What are the requirements for a water control valve to be listed for fire protection use?
Control valves must be listed for use in fire protection systems and must have an external means to readily indicate that the valve is open or closed.
What is a PIV tamper switch?
Used to Detect Tampering or Setting Changes on Control Valve, by Monitoring Open/Closed Position; Durable Metal Enclosure with Single-Side Entry for Conduit; Adjustable Actuator Length; Two SPDT Synchronized Switch.
How Do PIVs Work?
The mechanisms at work in a post indicator valve are fairly straight forward.
How often should PIV valves be inspected?
Inspection: NFPA dictates that PIV control valves be inspected regularly, the frequency of which is determined by the type of seal that is protecting it. Valves protected by wire seals must be visually inspected every week. Valves protected by padlocks and chains must be visually inspected every month.
What happens after a PIV is used?
After the PIV’s maintenance or emergency use is completed, the valve will be returned to its resting position (either opened or closed), the wrench actuator removed from the operating nut, and placed back in its storage position and locked in place.
How to tell if a PIV is open or shut?
If the PIV is stored in the shut position, then “SHUT” will be visible through the visual indicator window when in the resting position. When someone uses the wrench to turn and open the gate valve, the indicator sign will move to show “OPEN” through the window.
How to operate a gate valve?
When maintenance or emergency personnel need to operate the valve, they unlock the wrench actuator, remove it from the storage position, and place the wrench end on the operating nut on top of the PIV and turn the nut, subsequently turning the gate valve within to either open or shut the water supply valve.
What is a PIV valve?
What is a PIV? In short, post indicator valves (PIVs) are sturdy, above-ground access and operator valves used for automatic sprinkler systems and wet standpipe systems whose main water supply valves are located underground. With underground main valves, it is both difficult to know whether they are in an open or closed position ...
What is the 5th part of a PIV?
The fifth part, the gate valve (also known as the operating shaft), is the internal mechanism. In a standard PIV, the post body is mounted on top of the fire sprinkler/standpipe system’s water supply pipe. Sometimes this means the bottom of the PIV is buried under the ground, while other times, it may have a flange that is bolted down ...
What is NFPA 14?
NFPA 14, the Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, also weighs in on post-indicator valve requirements.
How high above grade do post indicator valves need to be?
NFPA 13 only states that where post-indicator valves are used, they top of the post must be 32-40 inches above grade, and they must be protected against mechanical damage (NFPA 13 2002 8.15.1.3, 2007-16 8.16.1.3, 2019 16.9.9). AHJ & Insurer Inputs.
How far away from a building is a backflow preventer?
A backflow preventer with an indicating valve at least 40 ft (12 m) from the building.*
Why do we need post indicator valves?
Post-indicator valves have long been used to stop the flow of water into a building during developed stages of a fire. Exterior wall collapse of a burning building poses a threat to break water supply mains as well as create many openings to the water supply. Without a valve to stop supply to these areas, firefighters and their efforts could be compromised by the loss of pressure and outflow of water to areas of a site that don't need water.
How far from the building should a control valve be?
Insurers, such as FM Global, may also want input. FM Global for instance, recommends that each system has a control valve a minimum of 40 feet from the building (with less preferred options also recommended in Data Sheet 2-0 2.6.2).
Does NFPA 14 require AHJ approval?
Wall-point-indicating valves, or underground valve with roadway box and T-wrench, are alternative options that require AHJ approval (NFPA 14 2000 4-2.6 , 2003-07 6.2.6, 2010-19 6.3.6).
Does NFPA 24 require a post indicator valve?
Since the 2010 Edition, NFPA 24 gives a series of options for isolating a building's system and does not mandate that a post-indicator valve be used. These options (from 2010-13 6.2.11, 2016-19 6.2.9) include:
How Do Post Indicator Valves Work?
A PIV consists of 4 parts, i.e., a gate or butterfly valve, the post/body, the handle or wrench actuator, and the visual indicator. The gate or butterfly valve connects to a shut off valve in the underground fire line, while the post protrudes out from the ground or the wall. The actuator and the visual indicator are on the post, which allows the valve to be opened and closed easily by moving the actuator, and checking its position through the ‘OPEN ‘ or ‘SHUT’ notification in the indicator.
What does the PIV symbol mean?
It also has a glass or plastic window, which indicates whether the valve is open or shut. These valve mechanisms can be recognized by the post indicator valve symbol, which displays the acronym PIV inside a circle. One can commonly see these devices on the interior walls of buildings.
What is a ground post?
Ground Post: This is an indicator post which has its base buried in the ground, and generally has a lockable handle or wrench. It is used when the valve is located out of the building.
What is a pedestal post?
Pedestal Post: This indicator post looks similar to a ground post. However, instead of being buried in the ground, it is bolted through a flange to a horizontal surface, usually a platform of concrete. It is also operated through a lockable handle or wrench. It is used when the valve is located inside a building, and the water mains are underground.
Why is it important to maintain PIVs?
It is important that all PIVs are maintained periodically so that problems such as leaks or failures in operation are tackled promptly. This will save a lot of money by avoiding replacement of parts, and fines for negligence.
What is a wall mount?
Wall Mounts: These setups have two nozzles that are mounted on a round plate of brass, horizontally on a wall.
Who invented the post indicator valve?
Post indicator valves were created and patented by inventors Crookham and Lee in 1972 for Clow Corp., a pipe manufacturing company, and were publicly installed for the first time in 1974. Also known as PIV, indicator post, I post, IP, post indicator, or wall post, a post indicator valve is a valve assembly used for the purpose ...
Why do fire alarms use post indicator valves?
This is done so that the water can be provided for and supplied even if there is a post indicator valve failure. The usual reason for failure can be quality of valves used. It is essential that the valves used are from a reputed and reliable valve supplier.
What is a PIV valve?
A PIV could be termed as a valve assembly that is used for underground piping to supply water to fire protection systems. For example, deluges, sprays, sprinklers, foams, etc.
Where is the post indicator valve located?
This type of post indicator valve is placed horizontally to the wall, and it is a short PIV post. This type of valve is used where there is a wall cavity with water mains passing through them. From the perspective of an actuator, it has a one in shape of a hand-wheel. The status indicator is the same with a plate below the top that gives the status readings.
How wide is a post indicator valve?
Post indicator valves are usually available in a varied range of sizes which are between three to ten inches in their width. They are mainly classified into three broad categories. Each is suitable for different water installation, although the core function of all three is the same with standard features. Let us take a look at each below:
Why are valves important?
Valves are used to control the passage of air or fluid through a duct or a pipe. They are also used in an automatic device to allow movement in one direction only. Valves are used at almost all places that work on machines. They are essential for the functioning of a machine and should be chosen with care.
What is a SIO gate valve?
The SIO gate valve is used to connect to a valve that is in place for a shut off in the underground fire line.
What is a wall mount?
These are mounted horizontally on a wall. There is a round plate of brass that mounts two nozzles. This entire setup is termed as a wall mount as they are placed on a wall
What is a WPIV?
Wall post indicator valve (WPIV) , the photo below in the above post is very common in the northeast. We see them in many occupancies it is a good compromise to the PIV. Only down side is the valve is on the building, if the wall fails the FD looses the opportunity to shut the water supply. The best set up is the have a PIV on the water line into the building and WPIV on each individual riser so only the system that needs to be taken out of service can be shut. It is common to see a chain on the WPIV to prevent the closure of the valve.
How far from a building should a valve be?
1) Listed indicating valves at each connection into the building at least 40 ft from building if space permits.
How far from a building should I place firefighters?
I have always been required place them outside for firefighter protection,that why it says "... at least 40 ft from building,,,,"
Can a water supply be extended into a building?
A water supply connection should not extend into a building or through a building wall unless such connection is under the control of an outside listed indicating valve OR an inside indicating valve located near the outside wall of the building. All valves controlling water supplies for sprinkler systems or portions thereof, including floor control valves, should be accessible to authorized personnel during emergencies. Permanent ladders, clamped treads on risers, chain-operated hand wheels, or other accepted means should be provided where necessary.
Can FD access PIV?
It is all about FD access to the valve, outside PIV is the best for the FD, they can see if it is open and or close it if the sprinkler system failed and they need the water to fight the fire. Since shut sprinkler control valves is the number 1 reason for sprinkler system failure, having accessable valves for FD use is the priority. The FD will check to see if the valve is open IF they can get to it.
Can water be controlled by a listed valve?
My interpretation: Water supply should be controlled by a listed valve inside OR outside the building. If using an outside valve use the order of preference.
Can you see a person inside a building?
Never seen one inside a building.... only once see one attached to the outside wall of a building.
How Do PIVs Work?
The mechanisms at work in a post indicator valve are fairly straight forward.
How often should PIV valves be inspected?
Inspection: NFPA dictates that PIV control valves be inspected regularly, the frequency of which is determined by the type of seal that is protecting it. Valves protected by wire seals must be visually inspected every week. Valves protected by padlocks and chains must be visually inspected every month.
What happens after a PIV is used?
After the PIV’s maintenance or emergency use is completed, the valve will be returned to its resting position (either opened or closed), the wrench actuator removed from the operating nut, and placed back in its storage position and locked in place.
How to tell if a PIV is open or shut?
If the PIV is stored in the shut position, then “SHUT” will be visible through the visual indicator window when in the resting position. When someone uses the wrench to turn and open the gate valve, the indicator sign will move to show “OPEN” through the window.
How to operate a gate valve?
When maintenance or emergency personnel need to operate the valve, they unlock the wrench actuator, remove it from the storage position, and place the wrench end on the operating nut on top of the PIV and turn the nut, subsequently turning the gate valve within to either open or shut the water supply valve.
What is a PIV valve?
What is a PIV? In short, post indicator valves (PIVs) are sturdy, above-ground access and operator valves used for automatic sprinkler systems and wet standpipe systems whose main water supply valves are located underground. With underground main valves, it is both difficult to know whether they are in an open or closed position ...
What is the 5th part of a PIV?
The fifth part, the gate valve (also known as the operating shaft), is the internal mechanism. In a standard PIV, the post body is mounted on top of the fire sprinkler/standpipe system’s water supply pipe. Sometimes this means the bottom of the PIV is buried under the ground, while other times, it may have a flange that is bolted down ...
